ON Oct 7, 2023, a major turning point occurred in the history of Israel, a state that, for over 75 years, has prided itself on being a dominant military force in the Middle East.
The events of that day challenged these long-held perceptions, unveiling a new chapter in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Approximately 1,000 Palestinian warriors affiliated with Hamas embarked on a brave and strategically significant military operation named Tufan al-Aqsa (Al-Aqsa Flood).
Armed with homemade weapons, these fighters stormed the heavily guarded Israeli military bases and settlements near the Gaza Strip, successfully overpowering more than 10,000 Israeli soldiers, recognised as elite combatants trained for frontline battles.
The outcome of this operation resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Israeli soldiers, with others being taken as prisoners.
From the beginning of this operation, the Hamas military chief issued a clear and decisive declaration.
The operation's goals were explicitly outlined: to stop Israeli violations in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, secure the liberation of Palestinian prisoners, cease the construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and lift the longstanding blockade of the Gaza Strip.
Over the last 75 years, Israel has engaged in continuous military confrontations against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Meanwhile, Israel solidified its position as a dominant military superpower in the Middle East and established a robust economic base.
Presenting itself as a modern democratic state, Israel has extended invitations to Europeans, especially young individuals, regardless of their educational background, attracting them with the prospects of economic opportunities.
In exchange for these benefits, including promises of citizenship and passports, these immigrants were required to serve in the Israeli army, often participating in military operations against the Palestinians, with the intention of seeking to oust them from their land.
The daily involvement in policing operations, in contrast to the initial economic motives of many Israeli immigrants, has led to a gradual erosion of skills necessary for conventional warfare.
On the other side, Palestinians, living under the shadow of the Gaza blockade and an unjust apartheid system in the West Bank, face daily humiliation and struggle for basic survival needs.
They perceive Israeli soldiers as occupiers and oppressors, responsible for the pain and suffering caused by the ongoing land expropriation.
Tufan al-Aqsa brought an unexpected humiliation and defeat to the Israeli forces, shocking the world, especially with the widespread sharing of videos on social media.
In an effort to preserve their image as a superpower military state in the Middle East, Israeli leaders attributed their defeat to the surprise element.
They officially declared the commencement of a nonstop massive military war on Gaza with three main clear objectives, which included coercively transferring Gazans to the Sinai desert in Egypt, annihilating Hamas and other Palestinian resistance movements, and freeing Israeli prisoners.
In response, the United States, France, Germany, the UK, etc.., provided Israel with political, official, and military support, sending nuclear ships, military warships, sophisticated weaponry, and personnel.
Israel utilised airstrikes and ground invasions, deploying high-tech tanks, military hardware, and various types of outlawed chemical and phosphorous munitions.
Despite these efforts, for nearly 50 days, Israel and its allies were unable to accomplish any of the stated objectives.
Meanwhile, Hamas and other Palestinian resistance movements frequently released new videos showing their fighters engaging in combat against Israeli forces, bombing tanks, exploding tunnels packed with bombs, and abducting soldiers from the battlefield.
Palestinian fighters, armed with homemade equipment, have managed to smash the well-established stereotype about Israeli soldiers. Their profound faith and determination have been pivotal in pursuing what they deem justifiable national goals.
The remarkable determination of the Palestinians to resist occupation has compelled Israeli leaders to admit their failure to break the spirit of the Palestinians.
Such a final outcome forced Israel, who had been against any solutions with the Palestinians, to reluctantly accept a ceasefire, release Palestinian prisoners, etc.
Despite Israeli politicians viewing the agreement as a failure, Palestinians regard it as the beginning of an outstanding victory.
This conflict's line has two potential outcomes, each with its own set of implications.
The first possibility is that Israel, facing a real defeat, might pave the way for indirect negotiations, potentially leading to the acknowledgment and fulfilment of the rights of Palestinians as declared by the international community in 1947.
Such a development could culminate in the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Alternatively, if Israel is unwilling to engage in negotiations or relinquish its dominant position against the Palestinians, the conflict will persist and could escalate into a major war, potentially including the entire region in the Middle East.
Whether this dispute ends in dialogue and peace or intensifies and results in combat, the Palestinians are certain that their losses won't exceed what they have already lost, and they will persevere in their resistance, believing that their future will be brighter than their current situation.
The writer is from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times